- Adani Ports’ flagship facility handles record-breaking cargo on 400-metre MSC AMBRA
- Mundra surpasses previous national benchmark by a staggering 4,516 TEUs
- 9% leap underscores port’s ultra-large vessel handling and technological prowess
- Milestone strengthens India’s maritime gateway as global shipping moves towards mega-vessels
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
MUNDRA, AUG 3
India’s maritime might has just found a new measure—21,085 containers on a single vessel. In a feat that pushes the country’s port-handling capabilities into a new league, Adani Ports’ flagship Mundra Port has set a national record by handling 21,085 TEUs on MSC AMBRA, the highest-ever container volume handled on a single vessel at an Indian port.
The landmark operation not only rewrites India’s single-vessel container-handling record but also showcases Mundra’s ability to handle the sheer scale and complexity of modern global shipping. With mega-vessels carrying ever larger cargo parcels, the achievement places Mundra firmly at the forefront of India’s containerised trade and reinforces its role as a strategic gateway connecting the country to global markets.
4,516 TEUs beyond the old benchmark
The scale of the achievement becomes clearer against the previous national record. In January 2024, MSC LIVORNO had set the benchmark by handling 16,569 TEUs on a single vessel.
Mundra has now taken that record to 21,085 TEUs, surpassing it by 4,516 TEUs, or approximately 26.9 per cent.
The record-breaking operation was performed on MSC AMBRA, among the world’s largest container vessels. Measuring an extraordinary 400 metres in length and 61.54 metres in width, the ship is roughly equivalent to nearly four football fields placed end to end.
Its displacement of 256,228 metric tonnes is comparable to the combined weight of around 42,700 adult elephants, underscoring the enormous scale of the vessel that Mundra successfully accommodated.
A mega-ship, a mega operation
Accommodating such a vessel and handling a record cargo parcel demanded far more than sheer infrastructure. The operation involved meticulous pre-arrival planning, precise berth allocation, strategic crane deployment, real-time yard management and seamless coordination across multiple teams.
MSC AMBRA arrived with a forward draft of 15.10 metres and an aft draft of 15.15 metres, highlighting the deep-draft capabilities and advanced marine infrastructure required to safely handle a vessel of this magnitude.
The successful operation demonstrated Mundra’s technological sophistication, operational preparedness and ability to manage ultra-large container vessels with precision.
Its advanced terminal infrastructure, modern cargo-handling equipment, data-driven systems and experienced workforce enabled the record parcel to be handled efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on safety and service excellence.
‘A proud and historic achievement’
Rakshitbhai Shah, Executive Director, Adani Ports Mundra, described the milestone as a defining moment for both the port and India’s maritime sector.
“The handling of 21,085 TEUs on MSC AMBRA is a proud and historic achievement for Mundra Port and India’s maritime sector. Surpassing the previous national record by 4,516 TEUs demonstrates the strength of our world-class infrastructure, advanced technology and operational capabilities,” he said.
He credited the achievement to meticulous planning and coordinated execution, adding: “This milestone is a testament to the meticulous planning, seamless coordination and unwavering commitment to safety and service excellence demonstrated by Team Mundra Port and all supporting teams.”
Looking ahead, Shah said: “As global shipping moves towards larger vessels and greater cargo consolidation, Mundra Port remains committed to building future-ready capabilities and strengthening India’s position as a competitive global trade and logistics hub.”
The 21,085-TEU achievement therefore carries significance beyond a single port operation. As global shipping lines increasingly deploy larger vessels and consolidate greater volumes of cargo, the ability to berth, service and turn around ultra-large container ships efficiently is becoming a crucial determinant of competitiveness.
Mundra’s latest record sends a clear signal: India’s maritime infrastructure is scaling up for the mega-ships—and the mega-trade volumes—of tomorrow.
